Nikki Walker, the former Border Reivers winger, is set to return to Scotland
having signed a two-year deal with Edinburgh.

Walker, capped 24 times by Scotland, joined the Ospreys in 2006, one year before the Reivers were axed for financial reasons. The 6ft 4in Aberdonian subsequently moved to Worcester, in 2011, but a serious knee injury limited his appearances for the Aviva Premiership side.

Although Walker made his Scotland debut in 2002, he was widely considered to be in the best form of his career two seasons ago, and would almost certainly have been part of the Scotland squad at the 2011 World Cup had he not suffered that knee injury in a warm-up game against Italy at Murrayfield.

Walker was on standby duties for Scotland during this year’s Six Nations Championship. He also made an appearance for Scotland A in their victory over England Saxons at Newcastle’s Kingston Park in February.

His move to Edinburgh will give the capital side one of the most physically intimidating back threes in European rugby as he forges a wing partnership with the 6ft 3in Tim Visser, who needs just one more touchdown to set a new RaboDirect PRO12 try-scoring record.

Walker said: “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time playing outside of Scotland but I’ve always had a burning desire to return north, so when the opportunity came to sign for Edinburgh Rugby I grabbed it with both hands.

“The club has some real quality players in the squad and I believe that together we can build a strong future and compete with the top teams on the domestic and European stages.

“Personally, as a winger, I’m looking forward to joining up with some of the championship’s most dangerous play-makers and finishers. I can’t wait for next season to start.”

With their PRO12 clash with Munster at Scotstoun on Friday evening heading for a sell-out, Glasgow Warriors have added another 800 seats to the stadium’s capacity by opening their temporary stand at the west end of the ground.